CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 2,700,664		$ 2,511,505		$ 2,442,198
Product revenues	602,076		527,173		548,379
Total revenues	3,302,740		3,038,678		2,990,577
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	2,162,948		1,994,637		1,897,408
Cost of products sold	407,680		342,242		354,730
Selling, general and administrative expenses	535,679		532,624		509,071
Research and development expenses	6,044		4,271		3,151
Other expenses	102,740		86,473		7,561
Total costs and expenses	3,215,091		2,960,247		2,771,921
Operating income from continuing operations	87,649		78,431		218,656
Interest income	2,751		2,668		2,928
Interest expense	(48,735)		(60,623)		(62,746)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	41,665		20,476		158,838
Income tax expense	(49,848)		(4,276)		(18,509)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	690		390		504
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,493)		16,590		140,833
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(3,306)		(7,249)		(21,907)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	1,243		3,118		6,846
Loss from discontinued operations	(2,063)		(4,131)		(15,061)
Net income (loss)	(9,556)		12,459		125,772
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,954)		(5,705)		(6,995)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(11,510)		6,754		118,777
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(9,447)		10,885		133,838
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2,063)		(4,131)		(15,061)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (11,510)		$ 6,754		$ 118,777
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	80,736		80,569		80,295
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)		$ 0.14		$ 1.67
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.05)		$ (0.19)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.14)	[1]	$ 0.08	[1]	$ 1.48
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	80,736		80,761		80,586
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)		$ 0.13		$ 1.66
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.05)		$ (0.19)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.14)	[1]	$ 0.08		$ 1.47

[1] Does not total due to rounding.